I’ve often referred to contest prep as stretching an elastic band, experimenting how far it can be pulled without snapping. Extending it a little, holding it steady, maybe relaxing the tension now and again – but being in control of energy around it.
It’s been a good way to explain how feel during a prep season and much like when it’s finished, I’m careful not to just let it go quickly, they sting if its not controlled!
I rather like to ease off slowly from the build up of the excitement and adrenaline after a show, I’ve often felt a sense of loss of structure at the end of the season & that feeling did briefly return this week so I’m careful to place some planned routines in…even if that that plan involved some flexibility for 4/5 days.
Time to recharge the batteries is crucial, I’ve not been great in previous years of recognising that, but as I get older and gain further experience, planning for the release of tension has been a key in setting up the next plan…
